Milwaukee County sheriff seeks 137 new positions

MILWAUKEE — Milwaukee County Sheriff David Clarke Jr. is looking to add 137 positions to his staff next year.

A Milwaukee Journal Sentinel report (http://bit.ly/13z1KnW ) says about 100 positions would be deputies. Another 35 would be correctional officers.

The new positions would more than compensate for a two-year trend of reductions imposed by the County Board and County Executive Chris Abele (AY'-blee).

The expansions are detailed in Clarke's 2014 budget request. It would mean a 17 percent increase, or $15 million, in tax-levy support over his current budget. Abele's budget guideline for next year called for no levy increase, in line with the guidance given to most other county departments.

Abele has been pushing efficiency measures since last year. The efforts have led to him and Clarke exchanging harsh words.

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